About W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a Industrial Distribution company operating in the Industrials sector.
GWW trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap stock .
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $1,054.47
- Market Cap
- $49.95B
- 52-Week High
- $1,218.63
- 52-Week Low
- $893.99
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Industrial Distribution
$1,000 Invested in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)
How much would $1,000 invested in GWW be worth today?
What would $1,000 invested in GWW 1 year ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2025 would be worth $1,093 as of May 2026, representing a +9.3% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in GWW 3 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2023 would be worth $1,632 as of May 2026, representing a +63.2% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in GWW 5 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2021 would be worth $2,779 as of May 2026, representing a +177.9% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in GWW 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) in 2016 would be worth $5,649 as of May 2026, representing a +464.9% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in GWW at IPO be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) at IPO would be worth $444,343 as of May 2026, representing a +44334.3% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 53+ years (637 months), W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has averaged a monthly return of +1.26% with a median return of +0.94%. The stock had 350 positive months (55%) and 283 negative months (44%). The best month in GWW's history was January 1975 with a +36.0% return, while the worst was October 1987 at -30.1%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.3%), and September the weakest (-0.5%).
GWW's longest winning streak was 6 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1991 with a cumulative return of +55.7%, and the worst was 1974 at -58.4%.
Annual Returns
Over 53 years of trading history, W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has delivered an average annual return of +14.31% with a median return of +15.00%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +12.29%. The stock posted gains in 41 years (77%) and losses in 12 years (23%).
GWW's best year was 1991 with a +65.92% gain, while the worst was 1974 at -49.82%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 9, and the longest losing streak was 1 years. GWW achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 29 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 4 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +4.70% | $1,007.15 | $1,054.47 |
| 2025 | -3.41% | $1,042.73 | $1,007.15 |
| 2024 | +28.21% | $813.31 | $1,042.73 |
| 2023 | +50.53% | $540.28 | $813.31 |
| 2022 | +8.75% | $496.83 | $540.28 |
| 2021 | +28.80% | $385.74 | $496.83 |
| 2020 | +22.85% | $314.00 | $385.74 |
| 2019 | +22.25% | $256.85 | $314.00 |
| 2018 | +21.69% | $211.08 | $256.85 |
| 2017 | +4.35% | $202.29 | $211.08 |
| 2016 | +17.27% | $172.49 | $202.29 |
| 2015 | -18.91% | $212.72 | $172.49 |
| 2014 | +1.52% | $209.53 | $212.72 |
| 2013 | +28.04% | $163.64 | $209.53 |
| 2012 | +9.75% | $149.10 | $163.64 |
| 2011 | +37.82% | $108.18 | $149.10 |
| 2010 | +45.30% | $74.45 | $108.18 |
| 2009 | +25.45% | $59.35 | $74.45 |
| 2008 | -8.20% | $64.65 | $59.35 |
| 2007 | +27.14% | $50.85 | $64.65 |
| 2006 | -0.07% | $50.89 | $50.85 |
| 2005 | +8.33% | $46.97 | $50.89 |
| 2004 | +42.70% | $32.92 | $46.97 |
| 2003 | -6.61% | $35.25 | $32.92 |
| 2002 | +8.92% | $32.36 | $35.25 |
| 2001 | +33.78% | $24.19 | $32.36 |
| 2000 | -22.31% | $31.13 | $24.19 |
| 1999 | +16.49% | $26.72 | $31.13 |
| 1998 | -13.28% | $30.82 | $26.72 |
| 1997 | +22.62% | $25.13 | $30.82 |
| 1996 | +22.82% | $20.46 | $25.13 |
| 1995 | +16.41% | $17.58 | $20.46 |
| 1994 | +1.72% | $17.28 | $17.58 |
| 1993 | -2.99% | $17.81 | $17.28 |
| 1992 | +12.00% | $15.90 | $17.81 |
| 1991 | +65.92% | $9.59 | $15.90 |
| 1990 | +4.78% | $9.15 | $9.59 |
| 1989 | +21.74% | $7.51 | $9.15 |
| 1988 | -7.05% | $8.08 | $7.51 |
| 1987 | +37.10% | $5.90 | $8.08 |
| 1986 | +15.34% | $5.11 | $5.90 |
| 1985 | +36.58% | $3.74 | $5.11 |
| 1984 | -6.71% | $4.01 | $3.74 |
| 1983 | +14.95% | $3.49 | $4.01 |
| 1982 | +44.11% | $2.42 | $3.49 |
| 1981 | +7.61% | $2.25 | $2.42 |
| 1980 | -7.69% | $2.44 | $2.25 |
| 1979 | +15.00% | $2.12 | $2.44 |
| 1978 | +3.17% | $2.06 | $2.12 |
| 1977 | +5.00% | $1.96 | $2.06 |
| 1976 | +20.00% | $1.63 | $1.96 |
| 1975 | +43.88% | $1.13 | $1.63 |
| 1974 | -49.82% | $2.26 | $1.13 |
Frequently Asked Questions: GWW
What sector is GWW in? ▼
GWW operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Industrial Distribution industry.
How has GWW performed historically? ▼
Over 53 years of trading history, GWW has posted gains in 41 years (77% of the time). The best year was 1991 with a +65.9% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in GWW? ▼
You can invest in GWW through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold GWW.
Last updated: 3/24/2026